Pepper Rebound Screen

ABSTRACT

A rebound screen is provided that includes a curved rebound surface. The curved rebound surface is held in a bowed position on a supporting frame to provide a rebounding effect to an object striking the panel. The curved panel provides a surface that increases the range of angles, e.g., lateral angles, from which a ball can be rebounded off of the surface as compared to flat panel rebound devices.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/665,037, entitled Pepper Rebound Screen, filed on May 1, 2018, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a screen for rebounding objects such as sports balls thrown against the screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the past a variety of different types of devices have been developed to rebound objects, such as a sports ball, that is thrown at the device. The devices can take many forms including solid wails or panels that effectively direct a ball striking the device back in the direction from which it moved towards the device.

However, in order to provide a more challenging and realistic movement to the ball as it is rebounded from the device, these devices have been modified to enable the ball to rebound from the device in a random manner. More specifically, the devices are formed with features that cause the ball to rebound from the device in a direction different from and not predictable with respect to the trajectory from which the ball moved towards the device.

These random rebound devices have many different forms, such as a solid panel including a number of protrusions positioned on the panel and spaced from one another, or a net screen that has knots formed in the material of the net to act as the protrusion for producing the random nature of the rebound trajectory of the ball.

Nevertheless, these rebound devices, whether formed using a solid panel or a netting, each have a flat surface that is struck by the balls. This flat surface limits the ability of the device to randomly rebound the ball.

Accordingly, the prior art does not satisfy the needs and solutions required for devices of this type, such that it is desirable to develop a random rebound device that provides enhanced rebounding capabilities to the device.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a rebound screen is provided that includes a curved rebound surface. The curved rebound surface is held in a bowed position on a supporting frame and is formed with a netting panel that is held at sufficient tension by the frame to provide a rebounding effect to an object striking the panel. The curved panel provides a surface that increases the range of angles from which a ball can be rebounded off of the surface as compared to flat panel rebound devices.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the frame of the device is formed with a rotating support structure. The rotating support structure enables the curved surface to be presented to the user in a concave or convex configuration, further increasing the range of rebound angles provided by the device.

According to still a further aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the device can be selectively located in an upright position where the panel is generally vertically oriented (e.g., at a slight angle with respect to vertical) or in an angled position, where the panel is disposed at an angle with respect to horizontal. The options for the location of the device and panel further increase the rebound angles provided by the device.

Numerous additional aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode of practicing the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a rebound device according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the rebound device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rebound device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the rebound device of FIG. 1 in a first alternative configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the rebound device of FIG. 1 in a second alternative configuration;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the rebound device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of the rebound device of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a partially broken away, isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numbers represent like features throughout the application, a rebound screen or device constructed according to the present disclosure is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The device 10 includes a frame 12 include a pair of opposed side members 14,16 that are joined by a top member 18 and a bottom member 20. The members 14-20 are formed of any suitable material and in an exemplary embodiment are formed of a rigid tubular metal or plastic material that provides sufficient strength and weight to the frame 12.

Each side member 14,16 has a support member 22 attached thereto adjacent the opposite ends of the bottom member 20. Each support member 22 is formed of a material similar to that of the members 14-20 and has a support rail 24 with a front end 26 and a back end 28 and a connection member 30 extending outwardly from the support rail 24. The connection member 30 is disposed on the rail 24 between the front end 26 and the back end 28 in order to enable the rail 24 to provide support to the frame 12 when the rails 24 are positioned on and/or against a support surface, such as a floor or the ground. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the connection member 30 is spaced near but apart from the front end 26 to enable the front end 26 to function to prevent tipping forward of the frame 12. The back end 28 is also formed with a curved foot 32 that rests on and does not sink into the support surface, i.e., ground, when the device 10 is positioned in the alternative configuration of FIG. 5. In addition, while the support members 22 can be configured to support the frame 12 in any desired angular position, such as perpendicular to the support members 22, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment the support members 22 hold the frame 12 in a generally vertical support position, e,g., at a slight incline with respect to vertical.

Looking now at FIGS. 1-4, the top member 18 and bottom member 20 of the frame 12 are curved between the opposed side members 14,16. The curve of the top member 18 and bottom member 20 enables a panel 34 positioned on the frame 12 across the opening 36 defined by the side member 14,16 the top member 18 and the bottom member 20 to be held in a curved position on the frame 12. The panel 34 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed of a mesh material that provides a suitable rebound material for the panel 34, but also greatly reduces weight and wind resistance, increasing the usefulness of the frame 12 including the panel 34. The panel 34 can be formed of any suitable material and can have other materials attached thereto, such as a number of target strips 38 forming a central target area 40 on the panel 34. The panel 34 can additionally be secured to the frame 12 in any suitable manner, such as by securing devices 42 disposed on the panel 34 and adapted to be secured around the adjacent member 14-20 of the frame 12, or hooks (not shown) on the frame 12 engaged with complementary loops (not shown) on the panel 34, or by other suitable securing structures (not shown), among other suitable securing devices. Further, the securing devices 42 can allow for the panel 34 to be removed and reattached to the frame 12, such as when it is desired to replace the panel 34.

The shape of the top member 18 and the bottom member 20 provide the panel 34 with a curved shape extending across the entire frame 12, such that the entire panel 34 provides a rebound surface for the device 10. Further, the curve enables the panel 34 to provide a rebound effect, e.g., a laterally directed rebound effect, to a ball or other projectile thrown at any location of the panel 34, as schematically shown in FIG, 6. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the frame 12 does not include any components other than the side members 14,16, top member 18 and bottom member 20. In alternative embodiments, intermediate support members (not shown) can be (releasably) attached between the side members 14,16 and/or the top member 18 and bottom member 20 to provide additional support and rebound characteristics to the panel 34.

Also, referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection member 30 of each support member 22 is rotatably engaged with the associated side member 14,16 to allow the support member 22 to be positioned at any angle with respect to the frame 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the connection member 30 can be formed with a diameter smaller than that of the adjacent side member 14,16, such that the connection member 30 can be inserted within the side member 14,16, which is formed to be hollow and to have an open lower end 50. When positioned within the side member 14,16, the connection member 30 can rotate freely within the side member 14, 16. Further in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the connection member 30 has a curved section 50 below the side member 14,16. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotation of the support members 22 enables the frame 12 to be positioned to dispose the panel 34 in either a concave or a convex position with regard to the user, thereby further increasing the potential lateral rebound configurations for the device 10.

In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the device 10 can be positioned with the foot 32 of each support member 22 and the top member 20 of the frame 12 on the support surface, to position the device 10 in an angled position, e.g., at an angle with respect to a horizontal position. In this configuration the panel 34 enables a ball striking the panel to be rebounded off of the panel 34 in a lateral, and optionally a more vertical direction, as desired.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the illustrated in FIG. 7, the screen 10′ is formed with a frame 12′ including a pair of opposed side members 14′,16′ that are, joined by a top member 18′ and a bottom member 20′. The members 14′-20′ are formed of any suitable material and in an exemplary embodiment are formed of a rigid tubular metal or plastic material that provides sufficient strength and weight to the frame 12′. Each side member 14′,16 includes a vertical tube 100 and a pair of horizontal tubes 102 joined to the vertical tube 100 adjacent each end. The horizontal tubes 102 are secured to the vertical tube 100 in any suitable manner, such as by welding the tubes 100,102 to one another. For additional support the side members 14′,16′ can include a brace 104 secured between the vertical tube 100 an the horizontal tube 102.

The top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ are each formed with a central portion 106 having a diameter similar to that of the horizontal tubes 102 and opposed end portions 108 having a diameter less than that of the horizontal tubes 102. The end portion 108 additionally include a securing mechanism 110, such as a spring-biased pin 112, that extends outwardly from the end portion 108. When the end portions 108 are inserted within the horizontal tubes 102, the pins 112 are deflected inwardly against the bias of the spring (not shown) to enable the end portion 108 to be inserted within the horizontal tube 102. The end portion 108 is slid into the horizontal tube 102 until the pin 112 is aligned with an aperture 114 in the horizontal tube 102. Upon reaching the aperture 114, the bias of the spring urges the pin 112 through the aperture 114 to engage the pin 112, and the end portion 108 with the horizontal tube 102.

The frame 12′ also includes a pair of feet 116 that are engaged with one end of the vertical tube 100 adjacent the bottom member 20′. Each foot 116 includes a vertical post 118 that extends outwardly from a generally horizontal support 120. The post 118 is formed similarly to the end portions of the top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ to be inserted within the vertical tube 100. The post 118 also includes a securing mechanism 110, such as a spring-biased pin 112, that extends outwardly from the post 118 and is engageable with an aperture 122 in the vertical tube 100 to secure the post 118/foot 116 to the vertical tube 100, optionally in a fixed configuration.

Each foot 116 also includes a curved end 124 generally opposite the post 118. The curved end 124 enables the curved end 124 to support the frame 12′ on a surface, such as grass, in an inverted configuration without sinking into or otherwise engaging the surface. Further, as the feet 116 can be attached to the vertical tube 100 to provide either a convex or concave shape to the panel 34′, the feet 116 enable the inverted configuration of the screen 10′ to be used in either the convex or concave shape as well,

In still another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ can be formed with a spacer 126 disposed between the top member 18′ or bottom member 20′ and the vertical tube 100. The spacer 126 is formed with at least one end 128 shaped similar to end portions 108 such that the end 128 of the spacer 126 can be inserted within the horizontal tube 102. The end 128 also includes a securing mechanism 110, such as a spring-biased pin 112, that extends outwardly from the end 128 and is engageable with an aperture 114 in the horizontal tube 102 to secure the spacer 126 to the horizontal tube 100. In addition the opposite end 132 of the spacer 126 is formed similarly to the horizontal tube 102 with an aperture 133 such that the end portion 108/pin 112 of the top member 18′ or bottom member 20′ can be inserted within and engaged with the end 132/aperture 133. The spacer 126 functions to provide an extension to the size of the frame 12′ when utilized and can also enable the top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ to be formed as completely curved members to reduce the complexity of manufacture of the frame 12′.

In any of the embodiments of FIG. 7, the panel 34′ is attached between the top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ and between the opposed side members 14′ and 16′, To secure the panel 34′ to the frame 12′, the top member 18′ and bottom member 20′ and the opposed side members 14′ and 16′ each include a number of spaced openings 134 extending through the respective member 14′-20′. A suitable attachment member 136, such as an elastic, VELCRO®, or other suitable securing member attached to the panel 34′ at one end can be inserted through the aligned opening 134 or around the adjacent member 14′-20′ and through the opening 134 to secure the panel across the frame 12′ to provide the effective rebound characteristics for the screen 10′.

Various other alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A rebound device comprising: a) a curved frame; and b) a rebound panel secured to the frame.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a number of support members secured to the frame.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the support members are rotatably connected to the frame.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the support members comprise: a) a rail; b) a connection member disposed on the rail and rotatable connected to the frame; and c) a curved end spaced from the connection member.
 5. The device of claim 4 further comprising an extension on the rail opposite the curved end.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the support members support the frame in either an angled or a generally vertical position.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame consists of: a) a curved bottom member; b) a pair of side members connected to opposed ends of the bottom member; and c) a curved top member connected to the pair of side members opposite the bottom member.
 8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a number of securing devices extending between the frame and the panel.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the securing devices are releasably engaged with the panel.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises: a) a top member; b) a bottom member; and c) a pair of side members interconnecting the top and bottom members.
 11. The device of claim 10 further comprising spacers disposed between the top and bottom members and the side members.
 12. A method for rebounding a projectile, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the rebound device of claim 1; b) directing a projectile at the panel of the rebound device.
 13. A method for rebounding a projectile, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing the rebound device of claim 3; b) rotating the support members to a vertical support position or horizontal support position; c) placing the rebound device on a support surface; and d) directing a projectile at the panel of the rebound device. 